Leaked: OS 6.0.0.214 for the BlackBerry Torch 9800

Since the initial release of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 we've not seen many leaked OS' for it. Some arrived before launch but after that, only one OS. The last was OS 6.0.0.161 which was not all that great and left a lot to be desired for in new Torch owners. Now, we have a new build to check out. OS 6.0.0.214 has leaked online. If any of you all are going to brave the installation then of course, be sure to back up your data.

*OS Disclaimer - Please Read: Keep in mind this is NOT an official release and as such is not supported by RIM or your Carrier. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk and only if you're comfortable in the process of upgrading and downgrading your device software. It is quite normal during operating system development for certain features to be crippled or disabled while others are tested, and these beta builds often reflect that. They are not always better. Depending on your BlackBerry comfort level, it may be best for you to wait for community feedback on a build before deciding to download and install for yourself or simply wait for the next official release. If you require support, you will find it in our CrackBerry forums via our extremely knowledgeable community base - do not contact your carrier or RIM for Beta OS technical support (their first course of action will be to advise you to downgrade to a supported OS). Follow the links below for more information and instructions. *

Reader comments

Leaked: OS 6.0.0.214 for the BlackBerry Torch 9800

My torch was great for the first two days that I had it. Then the bb data outtage happened and I was never able to connect back to bb internet service. The phone had become ungodly slow and sometimes very unresponsive. The virtual keyboard was very innaccurate.....the list kinda goes on. So I decided to upgrade and boy am I glad I did! No glitches, more responsive keyboard/touchscreen, faster, etc....OH and im now getting blackberry internet service again!

I just got my Torch this last weekend and was starting to notice a little lag when sliding through screens or opening apps. Since applying this OS, I have not experienced any of that. Neither have I experienced the bugs in the previous 2 posts. This is a must for the Torch. The change is night and day!

I have an issue with stuck messages on the notification bar, showing I have messages, but are all been cleaned out. Still shows I have messages, red light blinking. Also can't open pictures anymore is social feeds, you have to open site to see them. This build seems slower, though some items work better this way, does not make a this build that much better than 116, but should have been out of the box.

I found one quirk with this build. When the display language is set to "English (US)". The punctuation keys are shifted one to the right. So when you use the physical keyboard, you go to type a period and get a comma, type a comma and get an exclamation. Type a question mark get a $ and there is no way to get a period. To gix it, I set my display language to just "English" and it's all better.

This seems earily familiar to the latest official VZW 5.0 build on the storm1 where you couldn't dial out because the keypad was non-responsive when the language was set to "English (US)" aka default, and it was resolved the same way...

Anyone else notice this.

Otherwise this build is phenominal. Web browser is much faster and scrolling doesn't get stuck between trays as much and is smoother. This phone may not be the iphone killer, but is definately helping me convince existing BB users we support not to be unfaithful.

A neat little feature that was showed in the 9700 OS6 video last week, in the broswer the video showed the taskbar would appear with an arrow when you went down the website enough, that feature is in 6.0.0.214

the good:
* downloads can now be cleared (161)
* browser title bar now drops down when you touch the top of the page, unstead of auto-scrolling you back to the top (BIG improvement)
* the virtual keyboard is more responsive - I had to slow down my typing in previous builds because it would miss letters. this no longer seems to occur, and the feeling of "lag" on the virtual keyboard has stopped.
* Suretype now only pops up after a brief delay instead of constantly which is an improvement. (Note: disabling suretype saves some battery and keeps the CPU cooler ;)
* the useless Globe on the landscape keyboard has been replaced with the SYM key - equally useless IMO. I wish they'd replace it with the 0 key so that it would mirror the physical keyboard - muscle memory is not trained to do "number" + 0. (Speaking of keyboard wishes - why don't they offset the keys the same as the real keyboard? )
* it's hard to say so far, but the BB doesn't seem to spend so much of its time hot to the touch.

the bad:
* if data connection is slow, browser becomes nonresponsive when clicking links (does not display "loading" even)
* bug introduced in 161 where custom background images do not scale correctly when orientation changes is not fixed.

I almost forgot. This still doesn't fix the issue where clearing a notification from your inbox (such as a BBM gruop notification) will not clear the notification indicator -- even though it *does* remove it from the notification list, this is actually worse since now you have to go into the app itself to clear it.

Hey guys! I've been complaning a lot on RIM since the release of the torch with the os build 6.0.0.141. First and foremost, RIM should really get rid of the original build for new shipments of the device because it gets laggy and freezes from time to time! When you would have email or social feeds coming in it would. Make the device freeze for a couple seconds! Very frustrating! But now with this build of os 6.0.0.214, WOW! Its exactly like the presentation of OS6 when RIM did their first representation! Device is now running the OS6 very well and the way the experience was suppose to always be with this OS. I wonder why RIM is waisting time or taking too much time to release OS updates that makes significant changes and that improves OS greatly? That will always stay a mystery but they should really fix this bad habit cause I'm still waiting for some themes for OS6!
Anyways here is some more info about this OS6 update that I found playing around with it:
-OS6 is running great and very snapy from the geco
-Reboot time a bit faster
-address bar in browser can now be droped down when scrolling down a web page
-web pages might display a bit faster
-better WiFi connection and signal (I find that its better! Let me know if there was a difference for you as well)
-added favorite icon and bookmark icon when opening web browser (when opening from home screen)
-swiping finger through home screen and other apps MUCH MORE responsive!!! REALLY GOOD!
-no more freezing after entering password when device is lock!!! (I was waiting for this bug fix)
All and all, its the best os6 update and a MUCH NEEDED one for this device! I'll let you guys know if I come across some bugs!

I have just upgraded my Torch 9800 last night itself. I could not stop myself as soon as I read on twitter about it. On the 6.0.0.141 I was almost crying that why did I buy this thing but now the money spent looks worth as the Torch is running at blazing speed and the finger swipes can be performed with near iPhone precision.

No issues identified as of now, working smoothly. The process just took 17 minutes to upgrade, much quicker than updating the Bold 9700.

I just did the dog'on thing to my 9800 (installed the 214 version of os6). I do see a big difference already. Gonna hit u guys back to see how this will work a few days from now.....Btw, thanks to Crucial_Extreme for posting direction so simple,that im sure a 7 year old kids could do this with no problems!!!

I downloaded this ONLY because I don't reconnect to BIS after a reboot...and I hoped this would be fixed!!! It's NOT! I've read the threads and all I'm reading is that I need to wipe! I have to wipe every time I reboot! Rediculous! Am I missing something? If anyone has a clue, please email me! kerrysummers@gmail.com

Mine is now fixed, 2 weeks no problem. I wiped the device, and did not restore from a previous 9700 backup, or any backup that has come from pre os6. I just added back my apps from the app store, and re-synced with outlook. All is well. I think there is some incompatibility with 0s5.

run as smooth anyway, the 9800 was design to run OS 6 as for the 9700 runs OS 5 very well, anytime they talk about specs its always double what they say can run it and since the 9700 memory isnt as high as the 9800 its only normal to see lags and problems, i will stick it out with OS 5 like I did for v4 on my 9000 these devices are only made to run what its stocked for. Then here we go with complaints again. when the apple boys get a new device what they do just buy the new phone. they wine about os updates but the updates will never run as sufficient as it would as on the device it was made to run on. its only common sense. OS 5 is still a bloody good OS and im keeping it on my 9700. my 9000 that runs OS 4 is pretty good as well no problems at all, i can see the change across the bord.

net_rim_bb_vvm(152)but no issues with the voice mail... So far stable and fast. Noticed that when you use the full keyboard the pop up letters are bigger, and the keyboard is more responsive (no miss type). The browser is faster now. That's with out the first restart...

there are a few bugs here with .214.
the bbm updates bar disappears until you hit groups then it reappears. when you have a few chats at a time on bbm it freezes. hmmmm this isnt quite there yet... downgrading until an official release.

Updates for Maps, Social, all instant messages to .63(last update). Addition of Slacker Radio. No East/Asia/Japanese fonts so far. Also I dont remember the option for Media Sync on .161. Waiting on initialization...

I am loving my new Torch and has been my favorite phone by far...however it is a bit buggy. I would love to up the OS if it will fix it...but one thing I have learned is patience! I am going to wait a bit for this one....Please post back your findingson this!!! Thanks!!

CrackBerry is in no way Affiliated with BlackBerry. We take pride in our unbiased content, however do occasionally receive free products from vendors that we review or discuss. For more info click here.